LevelUP With Us

In this engaging episode, Scott shares his experience managing recruitment for one of the nation’s largest healthcare systems, hiring nearly 24,000 caregivers annually. He provides valuable insights into leveraging AI to streamline recruitment, the importance of internal mobility, and the evolution of HR into a more strategic partner.

Scott also discusses how remote and hybrid work models are transforming recruitment, the need for agility in talent acquisition, and the shifting dynamics of employer-employee relationships.

Whether you're an HR professional, recruiter, or industry leader, this episode offers actionable advice on fostering cultural compatibility, investing in employees, and building diverse, future-ready teams.

Key Highlights:

• Mercy's approach to large-scale recruitment challenges.
• The role of AI and technology in modernizing talent acquisition.
• Internal mobility as a critical strategy for talent development.
• Adapting to remote and hybrid work in healthcare recruitment.
• Career advice for HR and talent acquisition professionals.

Tune in to uncover strategies for innovation, culture building, and success in healthcare recruitment!

In this insightful episode, Jeanette Winters, CHRO at 8x8, delves into the evolving challenges and opportunities in HR, with a focus on how technology—particularly AI and HRIS—is transforming the workplace. Jeanette discusses the critical importance of understanding cultural nuances in managing a global workforce and emphasizes the need for companies to prioritize work-life balance to attract and retain top talent.

She explores the rise of skills-based organizations, highlighting the sophisticated understanding required to effectively define and manage skills within a talent life cycle. The discussion also covers the shifting contract between employers and employees, with a growing demand for flexibility and integration of work-life balance.

Jeanette addresses the dual-edged impact of AI, noting its potential to both enhance and disrupt various aspects of our lives, from customer service to HR practices. She cautions against the risks of bias and the need to protect intellectual property while navigating these technological advancements.

In addition, Jeanette stresses the importance of HR professionals focusing on analytics, courage, problem-solving, and relationship-building to manage the complexities of today’s workforce. Elevating the world of work involves recognizing the honorability of all types of work, paying a living wage, treating individuals with respect, embracing diversity, and adapting to the ever-changing nature of work.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Katie Lane, Chief Talent Officer at Clayco, shares insights on building a sustainable talent model in the rapidly evolving world of work. She discusses the impact of AI on talent management, emphasizing the importance of viewing it as an opportunity rather than a threat. Katie highlights Clayco's unique approach to people-focused leadership, eschewing traditional HR structures in favor of a more agile, individualized talent development strategy.

The discussion explores the challenges of hiring for roles that didn't exist before and the need for flexibility in skills-based organizations. Katie emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and building networks in career development. She also touches on the company's robust intern program and their commitment to attracting and retaining top talent.

Throughout the conversation, Katie underscores the importance of focusing on incremental wins, adapting to change, and taking personal responsibility for growth. Her insights offer valuable perspective for HR professionals and leaders looking to elevate their approach to talent management in an increasingly dynamic workplace.

Cici Ebersole, Head of HR at Ducks Unlimited, shares her journey from being an employment law attorney to becoming a leader in HR. She emphasizes the importance of comprehending behavior and motivation in successful leadership. She notes the increasing trend of employees bringing their authentic selves to work and stresses the importance of leaders being open to learning from all generations within the workforce. Cici underscores the value of AI as a tool for automating administrative tasks and enhancing strategic decision-making.

In this discussion, Cici explores the concept of a skills-based organization, where individuals are appreciated for their comprehensive skills rather than being restricted to specific job roles. She delves into the significance of leveraging influential employees' skills, HR and talent leadership responsibilities and creating a sustainable talent model. Cici emphasizes the need for organizations to make every employee feel valued and engaged while acknowledging the importance of traditional job-based structures.

She also shares her insights on the roles of Chief Talent, Chief People, and Chief HR officers, highlighting the importance of long-term talent strategies and fostering passion and loyalty within the workforce. Cici advises HR professionals to become comfortable managing uncertainties and to maintain a commitment to continuous learning. She believes that elevating the work environment involves creating a workplace that is both enjoyable and fulfilling.

In this episode, we speak with Monique Jefferson, Chief People Officer at Community Preservation Corporation, the largest Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in the US solely focused on investing in multifamily housing. Describing herself as industry agnostic, Monique discusses her career journey and the evolving HR space. 

She and host Grant Jessup reminisce about the simplicity of the pager and how HR has had to not only keep pace with tech advancements but also the ever-changing needs of employees. She emphasizes how employee-employer expectations have changed, and why it is important employee wellbeing and culture is a critical piece of business strategy. 

Monique also pushes back on the narrative that AI is coming for our jobs and looking to the positive implications for the workforce, while acknowledging the need to think critically how it is leveraged within organizations. There are no shortages of takeaways in this episode of LevelUP With Us.

Welcome back to another episode of the LevelUP With Us Podcast! In this episode, our host Grant Jessup is joined by Sabine Mlnarsky, the CHRO of Commerzbank, a leading German bank for foreign trade. Commerzbank has almost eleven million global clients, and Sabine herself is responsible for over forty thousand employees. 

Born in Austria, Sabine stumbled into a career in human resources almost by chance. After completing her studies in law, she faced a challenging job market and resolved to accept the first available position. With her background in labor law, she took on a role in HR and swiftly cultivated a passion for enhancing workplace environments and nurturing positive organizational cultures. She has now dedicated over 18 years to the field and sits on the board as Chief Human Resource Officer at Commerzbank. She continuously evolves and refines her expertise in human resources. 

In this episode, Grant and Sabine discuss the industry trends within HR that are shaping the future of the business, and what technologies and developments HR professionals should be keeping an eye on to make sure they’re staying ahead of the curve. 

Sabine shares her view on the potential that AI poses to HR professionals, such as saving countless invaluable hours of administrative time, freeing them up to work on the human elements of the job, as well as where its potential limitations might lie. 

The conversation also covers current trends in HR, such as the critical role of upskilling and employee retention in cultivating an ideal workplace culture. Sabine offers actionable advice and strategies to enhance HR processes and provides cautionary guidance for HR leaders considering new for their toolkit.

Join us in this captivating episode of LevelUP With Us as we sit down with Mindy Honcoop, a seasoned HR leader whose career spans roles at Microsoft, Expedia, and several high-impact startups. Dive into Mindy's journey from social work to HR, exploring how her unique perspective enhances organizational culture and employee engagement.

In This Episode:
- The Evolution of HR Roles: Mindy shares her transition into fractional CHRO roles, explaining the flexibility and impact these positions offer to businesses.
- AI and HR: Discover how Mindy leverages AI to transform HR practices, focusing on strategic implementation to enhance employee experience and operational efficiency.
Career Highlights: From Microsoft to launching her own HR consultancy, Mindy recounts her diverse experiences and the lessons learned along the way.
- The Power of HR: Mindy discusses the intrinsic connection between healthy workplaces and a healthier society, emphasizing HR's role in fostering this environment.

In this conversation, Heena Surani Chief HR Officer at Smartnumbers shares her insights and experiences in the field of HR. She discusses the role of a CHRO and the importance of understanding the wider business and influencing at the highest level. Heena also explores the impact of AI in HR, highlighting the benefits and risks associated with its implementation. She emphasizes the need for a holistic view of skills-based organizations and the importance of flexibility and adaptability in talent models. Heena provides advice for HR professionals, including the importance of self-awareness and finding strategies to manage stress. Finally, she discusses the role of HR in elevating the world of work and driving growth, inclusion, and resilience.